On 29th March 2017, FAWEU joined partner Organizations including; Business Day Communications, National Agricultural Advisory Services and Path in celebrating the 5thInternational Women’s Day Banquet 2017. The event that took place at Serena Hotel Kampala under the theme “Gender Equality is Progress for All” aimed at educating, celebrating and inspiring Uganda’s Leadership about the projects, products and programmes that make Gender Equality Goal a success.

Ms. Jane Nandawula, the Chief Executive Officer of Business Day Communications in her opening remarks noted that, “Society needs gender equality. We need to focus on women and girls because they are still lagging behind in many sectors. Women make up to only 4% of Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) worldwide.

Speaking on behalf of FAWE Secretariat, Ms. Martha Muhwezi, the Head of Programmes noted that, “FAWE designs its interventions focusing on the concept of equity and equality in addressing gender disparities.” She emphasized the great need to address issues of gender as they could impede or accelerate development. She also highlighted that while FAWEU’s niche was Education and that is where they were making a difference, there was something everyone could do to make the much needed change. She crowned her speech by calling upon all like - minded organizations to join hands in addressing girls’ education and issues around gender.

At the end of the event, FAWEU was awarded a plaque of appreciation for its interventions that have benefited women and girls as well as its participation in the 5thInternational Women’s Day Banquet and was also commended for her good work.

Technology Company Microsoft in partnership with the Pan African Non-Governmental Organization Forum for African Women Educationalists Uganda (FAWEU) held its first ever DigiGirlz event in Uganda at Kitante Hill School in Kampala, open­ing doors to fervent and determined young women for the DigiGirlz Tech’ Camp.

The event under the theme Enhancing Girls' Capacities in STEM for De­velopment saw 104 high school girls from Kampala and Wakiso districts in Uganda immerse themselves in the latest innovations in technology.

Throughout the day, the girls participated in a number of activities including hands on training on computer games, safe internet use among other ICT skills. The girls were also mentored on building their capacities in STEM by successful career women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics fields from both Government and the Private Sector.

Through the DigiGirlz Camp, Microsoft and FAWEU hopes to significantly increase the number of young women involved in technology-focused careers, and to set an example for other corporations to pursue avenues of inclusion in the workplace. Di­giGirlz High Tech Camps’ purpose is to dispel myths of what it means to have a career in the high-tech in­dustry and give girls a chance to experience firsthand what it is like to develop cutting-edge technology.

“Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Camp strives to provide young women with the necessary expertise and direction to succeed in a world becoming more dependent on the latest tech­nologies and innovations,” said Microsoft’s Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs Manager in East and Southern Africa, Mr. Alex Nyingi. “We believe that the camp will help dismiss any stereotypes of the high-tech industry catering solely to men,” noted Nyingi.

While pitching the importance of building capacities of girls in STEM careers FAWEU Executive Director Christine Semambo Sem­pebwa, noted that DigiGirlz will help bridge gender disparities in performance in math and science by instilling positive attitudes among girls towards the subjects.

"Gender stereotypes, cultural barriers and low quality of education continue to affect girls’ career choices and opportunities in STEM fields. This training lays ground for secondary school girls to acquire hands on experience of the relevant skills needed to not only meet the technological manpower of the nation but also explore better ways of influencing the rest of their peers into considering careers in STEM," said Sempebwa.

More than 23,500 students from Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have attended the Microsoft Di­giGirlz Technology Programs (both camps and one-day events) since they began in the year 2000.

Through DigiGirlz Microsoft and FAWEU continue to live up to their shared com­mitment on bringing up a new generation of innovative women leaders and helping girls change their future through the use of technology.

Girls from selected eight schools in Kam­pala and Wakiso Ditsricts during one of the breakaway mentorship sessions at DigiGirlz camp

As part of FAWEU’s mandate to support girls access education, the FAWEU Higher Education Scholarship fundraising dinner was held on the 21th September, 2012 at Imperial Royale Hotel officiated by the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga – Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. A total of 124 guests attended the higher education scholarship fundraising dinner. It is worthwhile to note that a number of contributions inform of pledges and cash came in totaling to over 30 million Uganda Shillings. FAWEU would like to take this opportunity to recognize the following for their generous contributions; Rt. Hon. Speaker of the republic of Uganda, Makerere University Business Sschool, Makerere University Business School Women Forum, PALIN DIAGNOSTICS, BMS AUTO Services, LABE, BEDAL Consultants, FAWEU Members, and other well-wishers. The contributions collected will definitely make a difference in the lives of the girls.